Men for Equality has launched a transformative partnership with the Wallace Global Fund to promote positive masculinity and accelerate the abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) across the Upper River Region (URR). This collaboration strengthens ongoing efforts to challenge harmful norms, empower young men, and build communities rooted in dignity, empathy, and equality.
A Multi-Pronged Approach to Social Transformation
The initiative employs a combination of community engagement, youth empowerment, and media outreach to drive meaningful change:
- Community Engagements:
Interactive dialogues and workshops provide safe spaces for men, boys, and community members to discuss gender roles, power dynamics, and violence prevention. These sessions encourage reflection, awareness, and collective commitment to abandoning harmful practices. - Training in Tertiary Institutions:
By targeting universities and colleges, the project aims to shape future leaders who embrace positive masculinity, challenge discriminatory norms, and advocate for equality within their institutions and communities. - Radio Programmes:
Community voices are amplified through regional broadcasts, promoting public conversations on gender equality, addressing misconceptions about masculinity, and inspiring widespread action against FGM and other harmful practices.
Engaging Men and Boys as Catalysts for Change
At the heart of this partnership is the principle that men and boys are critical agents of transformation. By equipping them with the knowledge, tools, and motivation to challenge harmful behaviors, the initiative encourages participants to become champions for safe, equitable, and inclusive communities.
Building a Sustainable Movement
This partnership represents more than a project—it is part of a broader national movement to replace harmful social norms with values of respect, empathy, and equality. Through community dialogues, educational engagement, and media outreach, Men for Equality and the Wallace Global Fund are fostering a generation of men ready to lead by example and contribute to a Gambia free from violence and discrimination.
